Nafsika Marina Tsouni

Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance. It refers to the consequence of the failure of an organism — human or other animal — to respond adequately to mental, emotional, or physical demands, whether actual or imagined. When the person perceives a threat, their nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. The stress response is the body’s way of protecting the person. When working properly, it helps in staying focused, energetic, and alert. What is stress?

Causes of stress A lot of things can cause stress. You may feel stress when you go on a job interview, take a test, or run a race. These kinds of short-term stress are normal. Long-term (chronic) stress is caused by stressful situations or events that last over a long period of time, like problems at work or conflicts in your family. Over time, chronic stress can lead to severe health problems. Post-traumatic stress You may need help dealing with stress if you have faced a life-threatening or traumatic event such as rape, a natural disaster, or war. These events can cause acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms Signs of stress may be cognitive, emotional, physical, or behavioral. Behavioral symptoms Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing) Cognitive symptoms Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying Physical symptoms Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Frequent colds Emotional symptoms Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness

Stress related to school is most common among pupils at the upper (senior) levels of compulsory school and upper secondary school. It is more common for girls to have high demands on themselves and to be stressed about homework and tests than it is for boys. Stress at school

7 TIPS TO EASE STRESS RELIEF 1. Vitamin C, Vitamin B- Complex and Magnesium help lower stress levels. 2.Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. 3. Take small breaks throughout the day. 4. Use self-acupressure to help you relax. 5. Try some simple meditation, such as yoga. 6. Breathing deeply helps relieve stress. 7. Take time out to enjoy life!